Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form…

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form…

Avatars Who live in the most exalted state of ‘Brahmam’ have nothing to differentiate between many forms and many names… All names and all forms belong to the One Supreme Godhood. …And when They continue Their sojourn on the physical plane they do leave indelible impressions in the human hearts and minds, teaching them the most subtle truth and lessons. In one such incident Bhagawan at Shirdi taught His devotees not to disrespect any God-Forms… an interesting episode from Sree Sai Samartha Satcharita, originall written in Marathi byGovind Raghunath Dabholkar a.k.a. Hemadpant. A beautiful lesson commemorating The Advent of Bhagawan at Shirdi.

One day Baba returned from the Lendi and sat in the Masjid. The devotees began arriving for darshan. Amongst them was the great devotee Chandorkar whom Baba loved very much. He came with Biniwale, (his brother-in-law), eager for darshan.

After doing obeisance to Sainath, both of them sat in front of Him. While they were exchanging generalities about the welfare and well being, Baba suddenly got ‘angry’.

Baba said: “Nana, how is it that you have forgotten? After having spent such a long time in My company, is this only you have learnt? Is this the result of the time you have spent in My company? Tell Me in detail.”

Listening to this Nana became dejected. He wondered about the reason for this anger but could not recall anything. He felt sad.

He could not recall where he had erred. He could find no reason for the ‘anger’. But unless something had happened Baba would never ‘hurt’ anybody.

Therefore, he clutched on Baba’s Feet and repeatedly entreated Him. Finally Nana supplicated earnestly and asked: “Why are You angry?”

“Though you have been in association with Me for so many years, how could you have acted like thus? What happened to your senses?” Baba asked Nana.

“When did you come to Kopergaon? What happened on the way? Where did you get down on the way? Or did you come here straight?”

“Something strange happened on the way. I feel like listening to it in detail. Tell Me what happened and where, be it big or small incident.”

Hearing this Nana realised his mistake and his face fell immediately. Though he felt ashamed to speak of it, he narrated it.

Nothing could be concealed here! Having decided this, Nana told Baba whatever had happened in detail.

There could be no lying before Sai. Falsehood does not gain Sai’s grace. Disharmony leads to destruction and ultimately lies lead one to hell.

To deceive the Guru is a very great sin, from which there is no atonement. Realising this Nana described in detail to Baba whatever had happened.

Nana said: “We hired a tonga to come straight to Shirdi, as a result of which Biniwale missed the darshan of Lord Dutta on the banks of the Godavari.

Biniwale is a Dutta devotee. When we came across the Dutta temple on the way, he wanted to get down to have Dutta’s darshan. But I was in a hurry, so I prevented him and told him that we could take the darshan on our return journey from Shirdi.

Thus becoming hasty and thinking it would get late to come to Shirdi, I tried to avoid the matter and disregarded Dutta’s darshan.

Later, while bathing in the Godavari, a big thorn pierced my foot and gave me a lot of trouble on the way till I could pull it out with much effort.”

Then Baba advised: “It is not good to be in such a haste. Thank your stars that you had only the thorn to contend with, though you had disrespected the darshan.

When a very venerated deity like Dutta is on the way, awaiting darshan, unfortunate is he who has not taken the darshan! How can I help him?”

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form – A Lesson in Reverence and Unity

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form is a sacred reminder that every sincere path of worship deserves respect. Human beings may call the Divine by different names, worship through different symbols, and follow different traditions, but the source of all true devotion is one. A pure heart understands that God cannot be limited by one language, one image, one temple, or one method of prayer.

Many people become deeply attached to their own chosen form of God. This attachment is beautiful when it brings love, humility, and discipline. But it becomes harmful when it creates pride or disrespect toward another person’s faith. True devotion should make the heart wider, not narrower. If worship makes a person arrogant, then the spirit of worship has not been understood properly.

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form teaches that reverence is a sign of spiritual maturity. One person may worship Lord Shiva, another may worship Lord Krishna, another may bow before Mother Durga, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Guru Nanak, or Sai. The outer names and forms may differ, but the inner longing is the same: peace, love, protection, truth, and divine nearness.

A child may call the mother by one name, while another child may use a different word full of the same love. The mother does not reject either child because the name is different. In the same way, the Divine accepts sincere love offered through many forms. What matters most is not the outer label, but the purity of the heart that prays.

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form also protects society from division. Many conflicts begin with careless words, jokes, criticism, or comparison about sacred beliefs. What may seem like a small comment to one person can deeply wound another devotee’s heart. A wise person does not insult what someone else holds holy. Respectful speech is not weakness; it is culture, compassion, and wisdom.

This teaching does not mean that everyone must worship in the same way. Diversity is natural and beautiful. A garden is attractive because different flowers bloom in it. In the same way, the spiritual world becomes rich through many forms of prayer, music, rituals, silence, meditation, and service. Difference becomes a problem only when it is mixed with ego.

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form invites us to see the Divine beyond appearance. A picture, idol, symbol, scripture, or sacred place becomes meaningful because of the devotion connected with it. To one person, it may look ordinary, but to a devotee, it may carry memories, surrender, faith, and divine presence. Therefore, even when we do not follow a particular form, we should still honor the feeling behind it.

This value should be taught from childhood. Children should learn that temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, monasteries, and prayer halls are places of faith. They should not be taught to mock another religion or compare one form of God with another in a proud way. When young minds grow with respect, society becomes more peaceful and united.

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form is also a lesson in humility. No human mind can fully understand the greatness of the Divine. The Infinite can guide different souls in different ways. Some need a loving motherly form, some need a heroic form, some need a formless ideal, and some need the nearness of a spiritual master. God meets every heart according to its need and capacity.

A sincere devotee should focus more on practice than argument. Instead of criticizing another person’s worship, we should ask ourselves whether our own heart is becoming pure. Are we speaking truth? Are we reducing anger? Are we serving others? Are we becoming more loving and patient? These questions are more useful than debating which form is higher.

Disrespect toward any sacred form weakens one’s own devotion. A heart filled with contempt cannot feel real peace. If we truly love God, we must learn to honor the Divine presence everywhere. The same God who accepts our prayer also accepts the prayer of another sincere devotee. This understanding removes jealousy, pride, and narrow thinking.

Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form finally reminds us that love is greater than argument. Religion should not become a reason for hatred. Worship should make us gentle in speech, honest in conduct, and helpful toward others. The world needs more compassion, service, and unity, not more spiritual pride.

In the end, every sacred form is a doorway for someone’s faith. We may love our chosen path deeply, but we should never wound another person’s reverence. Respecting all divine forms does not reduce our devotion; it expands it. When we honor the many expressions of the One, our heart becomes broader, our faith becomes purer, and our life comes closer to the true spirit of God.

God cannot be a memory; He Is The Living Presence…